Here’s a stat that seems obvious but is still impressive: 2.8B+ people use messaging apps to chat.
And now a lot of those people also use them to shop.
It’s called “conversational commerce” (AKA c-commerce) and, according to The Economist, it’s hot in online shopping.
In c-commerce, businesses use AI bots on platforms like China’s WeChat, Apple Business Chat, and Facebook Messenger to connect with customers.
The bots help them browse and find products, book services, make purchases, and track delivery info. It’s fast, convenient, and works even if your internet is spotty.
Example: In 2017, Lego launched Ralph, a friendly bot that helped shoppers find the perfect gift for building-block enthusiasts.
Other big brands including Ikea, Sephora, Walmart, and Coca-Cola are all aboard this train, too — and it’s no wonder.
… could power $142B in retail spend by 2024, per Insider Intelligence (that’s up from $2.8B in 2019).
And supplying chat functionality is a growing business, too: Yalo has raised $100m+ to help businesses onboard to messenger platforms like WhatsApp (where customers exchange an eye-popping 175m messages per day with business accounts).
What’s the best use of all this fancy AI? Chatbots that send you pizza.